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tv   Politics Nation  MSNBC  January 21, 2013 3:00pm-4:00pm PST

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>> i think he's going to find out later, like -- do you think he knows all of this? but called for her debut that was with hilt ri and bill clinton. you had sort of a weird family dynamic and you had the daughter you're trying to keep out of the spot right. this is the most natural. >> you have the half brother showing up. >> exactly. >> who are these half brothers. with billy carter you had. johnson had samuel johnson, the estranged brothers. we're lucky he doesn't have any strange family aspect. >> well, he does. >> not in this country. >> in kenya. >> a new rule for families.
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thank you, eugene robinson, for that joy. joy reid, michael steele. howard fineman and i'll be right back with another hour live edition of "hardball." "politics nation" with al sharpton starts right now. >> thanks, krischris, and thank you for tuning in. we're covering this amazing, historic day in washington. the inauguration of barack obama as our president. right now, the president and the vice president are watching the inaugural parade with groups from all over the country going by and standing in front of the white house. just moments ago, the airmen passed by and got a standing ovation. earlier today, the president gave his second inaugural address, a stirring, passionate
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call for equality and fairness. forging a more perfect union and helping the country live up to the meaning of its creed. >> we, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths, that all of us are created equal. is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our fore bearers through seneca falls and selma and stonewall, just as it guided all of those men and women, sung and unsung, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone. to hear a king proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on ert. >> working together to fulfill the progressive promise of america, expanding its greatness to all of us. it was the dream of dr. martin luther king. and late this afternoon,
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president obama paused before the bust of martin luther king in the capital rotunda. a historic president paying tribute to the man who made that history possible. 50 years after the march on washington, 150 years after the emancipation proclamatioproclam president obama begins his second term, recommitting the nation to our founding ideas with liberty and justice for all. joining me now is former congressman barney frank, democrat from massachusetts and melissa harris perry, host of "the melissa harris perry show" here on msnbc. chairman frank, i mean, this was an amazing day. and the inaugural parade is still going on. the president is watching from his viewing stand.
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and when you look at his speech today, i sat there and listened. a lot of people were surprised at how he took on some issues and really raised a new page in american history in terms of where he felt the future of this country should go, chairman frank? >> i think it was an entirely legitimate victory lap. that is we had a very tough election, in which fundamental issues were debated, the rights of gay and lesbian people, the right to vote because of the assault on the fundamental right to vote that took place in so many states, climate change, a continuation of our commitment to think medicare and social security and the noes thtion th inequality is not a necessary component of the economy. and we want to believe all of those issues. and i think what the president was saying, was, look, we have elections. and when you have a full debate in an election and the outcome
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is pretty clear cut, then it's his obligation and his right to move forward on all of those issues. >> and as we are watching the navajo nation just went by, their float, one of the things i saw today, melissa, is the whole changing of the demographics of america was reflected at the inauguration, as we look at native americans float goes by, as we heard a president for the first time refer in an inaugural address to same-sex marriage and to gay rights and talking about gender rights and he was sworn in on martin luther king's bible, had those of us in lead civil rights organizations, their labor organizations. they're on the platform. not in a guest seat somewhere else, right there only the platform. and martin luther king's son. i mean, i think that he was saying america has changed. and we've got to deal with the change and let's start
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celebrating the change. >> so, i think he did two things. one, i would agree with you. he said that america is -- has achieved a certain kind of difference that it is different now. but he didn't say i changed it, right? it's that line. s, seneca falls, it is him naming each of the turning point watershed moments in american history in terms of how that change begins to occur. but then he does the thing, of course, that king did in the "i have a dream" speech. he goes all the way back to the initial social contract. he goes back to the nirinitial declaration of independence. he says that the basis of this is in the election, in his right to claim the victory as a ro greszive president. but the real basis for this goes back even further. even into a space with people who, themselves, were slave owners and, yet, wrote a document that was not in the moment a slave holding document. it was a document that said it
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is self evident that all persons are created equal. and that we have been, as the president said throughout his term, we're working to perfect that document. >> i think you're giving some of those guys a little too much credit. the constitution was explicitly a slave holding document. but, basically, i think, look, that's absolutely right. one of the best ways to look at our constitution or our political history is spelling out in real terms the promises tharn made that didn't hold. i mean, right, when they first vote those things in the 18th century, they basically meant fairly well off white, christian men. and there has been a series -- >> when they said all men, they were not talking about all men. >> in fact, what the president was able to say today to our great party is this isn't
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america, these are the voters speaking out. this is not some imposition on you. they're the ones who tried to strike down health care. the other ones were trying to cripple the financial reform we felt. it is interesting that the american public is speaking out in a way it's forcing its hand. >> not only have they done what you just said, they're right now just listening to the oral arguments on affirmative action. they're getting ready to listen to the arguments on the voting rights. one of the things that the president did address that i jumped out and i see i know the protocol or not and it was when he said we don't need americans standing on line for hours to vote, me ligs sa. and that was hitting right on the head a contemporary issue from the last election as chair mesne frak talks to us. tfts pretty amazing. there was a little built of the state of the union in there, too. there was the issue of health
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care reform. there was an issue of so called entitlements. there was an issue of global climate change and the need of america to leave that. and then there was the issue about voting fairness. >>ism police s >> implicitly, it was to repudiate their right wing, let me use the technical term, the crazies. we've had debates. democrats and republicans. but things like voting rights, things like sensible policies, we're beginning to see a number of responsible parties now confronting this. the president has made very clear he's going to move ahead on immigration in a sensible and fair way for a country that was built on immigration. he's going to move ahead. he's going to defend voting rights act. this is a challenge to a mainstream republican. >> and, again, you're looking at live pictures of the president
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in his viewing stand at the white house still watching the plaid. the inaugural parade that's still going on down pennsylvania avenue. melissa, the republicans seem to not, for the most part, take a negative view today. in fact, president george h.w. bush congratulated the president saying barbara and i send president and mrs. obama and their wonderful girls our best wishes and prayers on this historic day. may all mighty god bless them and our country over the years. it seems like it was john boehner with the flags that flew over the capital during the inaugural ceremony. it seems like during some of the post inaugural address interviews, they did not give a hundred percent embrace. but they seem to feel the president was magnanimous and
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there was not the bipartisan -- the partisan bickering, at least not today. tomorrow is another day. >> right. we'll see when they start go earning. but the transition of power does matter. the fact that we transition in this way that people are -- i mean, my favorite two shot, so far, my favorite image, is that that included beyoncyonce stand near paul ryan and there was this vision of them together. this is fun. this is kind of american politics and culture, you know, crossing these lines. and will it hold? perhaps not. but for a moment, it is a recognition that we don't have violent military coups in this country. we have a peaceful transition of power. >> you also saw there chairman frank as the reference in terms of his speech where he talked about the struggles that had gone from selma to stone wall and all. on the program, myrlie evers, the widow of medgar evers, on
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the program, sonya sotomayo justice. show me the change that we're talking about. >> no question. when hispanics, when gay and lesbian and bisexual and transgender people, when people who have been excluded come forward, it is not at the expense of the people, but it's important for everybody. and that is his theme. it is a better america. it is a more prosperous america. it is when you employ the talents of everybody. by the way, we saw that. white men dominated the manufacturing in america. and then, wabecause so many guy had to go overseas to defend freedom, all of that opened up. so for the first time, african americans and women were important. that didn't cost white guys their jobs. that expanded america's base. america was able to be the great
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ar arsenal with democracy and beat this terribly evil source. and that's an important sentiment. and ill have to say, that phrase, you know, as a guy who talks for a living, seneca falls to stonewall or selma, that's the chance of political rhetoric. that's, i think, got a resident and a meaning some people will now know what seneca falls was because of the women's movement. that was an extraordinarily good phrase and a meaningful one. >> and it connected struggles. i'm going to have to leaf it there. we're going to continue watching the inaugural parade that is still being reviewed by the president and the fist family in the viewing stands in front of the white house. congressman frank, melissa harris perry, thanks to both of you. enjoy the rest of the inauguration day. we'll be right back with our continuing coverage of president obama's inaugural parade. this is a special edition of
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politics nation on msnbc. a historic day. >> we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudi prejudice, not out of mere charity, but because peace in our tieme requires the constant advance that our common kree describes, tolerance and turnt, human dignity and justice. how far away is mars? [ dad ] well, it's 141 million miles from the sun,
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we're back with live pictures from the inaugural parade in washington, d.c. the president and vice president on the viewing stand in front of the white house as history was
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made today, our facebook fans were sharing their thoughts. liz says what a wonderful experience to celebrate martin luther king, jr., day and witness the swearing in of our president, barack obama. patti says being a former miss stonewall, i was elated to hear him acknowledge where it all started for us. some shared their hopes for a second term. diane wants to see the president take on jobs, voters suppression, immigration and gun safety. we'll talk more about the president's second term agenda coming up. but, first, we want to hear what you think. please head over to facebook and search "politics nation" and like us to join the conversation that keeps going long after the show ends. [ male announcer ] you are a business pro.
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now, more than ever, we must do these things together as one nagsz and one people. america's possibilities are limitless for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands. my fellow americans, we are made for this moment and we will seize it so long as we seize it together. >> seize it together. president obama calling on americans to come together in his speech today and welcome back to the continuing coverage of president obama's inaugural parade. these are live pictures. you're looking at the president
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in great spirits. and so far, we've seen dr. king's with president obama. but earlier, it was that speech. and he defied expectations again. there were specifics on voting, on gay rights, on women's rights, on climate change, on immigration, on gun control. and he defended the big three entitlements. joining me now is democratic senator from ohio, broun. what a speech. how surprised were you at the tone and the specifics in this speech? >> i wasn't surprised. i mean, we had very high expectations for him. he delivered. i loved the line as barney frank and others mentioned from seneca falls to selma to stonewall and i think that says a couple things. it says, one, how we've moved forward as a nation and we
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should acknowledge that at the inauguration. and, second, it underscores how none of those were easy. you know everything about civil rights and what happens with women's rights and what happens with gay rights. it's always a battle tomorrow that starts. and the president, i like how he is engaged with organizing for action. and i like how he knows that the country is behind him but needs to remind the congress that it's behind him every day. you know the old fdr story, he gathered people together, progressive groups and they said we want you to do this and he said i'm with you, but go make me do it. and that's what the president, in a historic way, was calling for. >> it is very ambitious, though. what can he get done? you're in the senate. you know the climate and congress. what can he get done? >> it starts with jobs. none of this happens in the way we wanted until we grow this economy more. and i think the public gets that. i think the deal at the end of the year, the budget deal, was,
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in many ways, the agreement was an acknowledgment affirmation by both parties. the trickle down economics doesn't work. it doesn't trickle down and help the middle class. and those who aspire and focus on the middle sclaclass and wor families. that's what that agreement was about three weeks ago. that's where the president focuses. he focuses on immigration. i think all of this is climate change is very possible. because the public ratified that, affirmed that in the election. and i think the public wants him to move forward. >> harnessing the power of his reelection campaign, how important will it be for the people's support to be rallied to achieve? >> i think ten years ago, even in the beginning of the obama administration, i think once he was elected, we all thought progressive president, good things are going to happen. then, mitch mcconnell and john boehner came and said stop.
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i think people just thought that will happen because we elected him. we learned that. the president learned it. i think msnbc learned it and congress and the public most importantly learned it. that this just doesn't happen because of an election. it happens because of an election and then it means going online, it means doing rallies, it means educating your neighbors at church and the workplace and in school. >> now, you're using the word takers in this speech, i mean going right after the right and a reminder of people what the election was about. i looked right across at paul ryan when he said it. i mean, given the republicans parties and their positions right now, can he get this agenda done? >> i think republicans sometimes look to the next election, too. and when they think about how the demographics are changing, how the philosophy of young people is changing, i the they understand that when you're talking about this 47%, the
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takers, it's veterans and people who paid the medicare and realize it's workers that aren't making much money, that are making $11, $12 an hour. if republicans don't listen, they pay a price in elections. that's why i'm of the miptimist we can reach an agreement on these really important proposals. >> do you think that republicans are getting that the country has changed, the demographics has changed, 1950, andy griffith, mayberry america no longer exists? >> it talked about the change in this country and how, you know, in those days and even since how republicans have appealed to race in a way that you know, has undercut so much of the social fabric. and i think people are ready to put that behind them and move forward. i really do think this is a watershed in our country to move forward now. this election and the act viciv
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to push the government in a more progress i have way forward. >> we're looking at a tribe, native american tribe from north dakota on the parade route as the president and vice president continue to watch and clap and it's been a long day, but they're buoyant and it's got to be a very happy time. but, senator, you and i know that tomorrow is another day and the day after and the fiekti fi in terms of what we're going to do to create those jobs and create the things that you're talking about, we're going to have to get down into the trenches and really work as well as the citizens. >> seneca falls and selma and stonewall didn't happen without a struggle. >> it came from the bottom up. >> it came from the bottom up. it's people speaking out and
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caring about this country and pushing their congress and that's how we've gotten so much in this country. we've gotten minimum wage and clean air laws and f.d.a and all of those things. from the bottom up, people demanded it in their workplaces, in their coal mines, in their churches and ethnic organizations and their schools. >> well, senator brown, let me congratulate you and your election. they spent $20,000 trying to defeat you and you're still here. >> thank you. >> thanks for your time tonight. >> you're watching a special edition of politics nation on msnbc on a historic day, president obama's inauguration. this is the place for politics. msnbc. ♪ and the home of the brave
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what a day. america's first black president sworn into office for a second time on martin luther king someday. the president took the oath with our hand on dr. king's bible. a congressional source tells nbc news the king family asked the
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president and chief justice roberts to sign the king family bible. after lunch, the president stopped in the capitol rotunda to look at the mlk bust. there's a reason this photo shopped picture is making the rounds today. that's coming up. stay with us. twins. i didn't see them coming. i have obligations. cute obligations, but obligations. i need to rethink the core of my portfolio. what i really need is sleep. introducing the ishares core, building blocks for the heart of your portfolio. find out why 9 out of 10 large professional investors choose ishares for their etfs. ishares by blackrock. call 1-800-ishares for a prospectus which includes investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. read and consider it carefully before investing. risk includes possible loss of principal. [ bop ] [ bop ] [ bop ] you can do that all you want, i don't like v8 juice. [ male announcer ] how about v8 v-fusion. a full serving of vegetables, a full serving of fruit. but what you taste is the fruit. so even you... could've had a v8.
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[ breathes deeply, wind blows ] [ male announcer ] halls. let the cool in. we're back with our live coverage of the inaugural parade wrapping upright now outside of the white house. this is the virginia military institute from virginia. a lot has changed in four years. perhaps none more than our president himself has changed. the man who took the oath of office today has been hardened by war and conflict. he's presided over monumental change during a time when this country has faced unique adversity. he's no longer facing a series of firsts. today marked a last.
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this was his last inauguration. and, as president, he left the steps of the capitol today. it was clear he wanted that moment to last just a little longer. the president lingered there for a while looking out on the hundreds of thousands gathered in the mall. older, wiser, but just as determined as ever to make this country a better place. joining me now is congresswoman wilson from florida and former pennsylvania governor ed rendell, now an nbc analyst. thank you both for being here tonight. >> thank you. >> reverend. >> congresswoman, thank you for coming on the show tonight. how has his time in office shaped this president? >> i've seen him become wiser.
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i've seen him become stronger. i've seen him sharpen his wit and i am so proud of how he has faced the republicans and how he is now saying he will not wheel and deal with the debt ceiling. how he is putting his foot down and moving forward, all of the i shall shoes that we want to see changed. i think this is the time. we have a new president. and there's a song that says what are they doing in heaven today? and i'm sure dr. martin luther king, jr., today was cheering the watch party. >> the president, as we're speaking, you're seeing the president is leaving the viewing stand, the parade is over. and he is leaving the viewing stand. that's a live shot of the president and the vice president. leaving the viewing stand and
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shortly we'll go in and get prepared for the inaugural bats tonight. there will be two of them that the president has publically announced. he will attend the military ball and the regular presidential ball. governor rendell, you've watched and worked with presidents as governor, as the chair of the dnc. tell us from your vantage point the difference between president obama and 2009 and his first inaugural and the president obama we saw today? >> well, the answer is experience, reverend. he's experienced as an executive now. he's experienced as president. he came to washington i think a little bit naive. because he was talking about the things that were right and just and everyone would flock to his banner. he didn't know as he was taking his inaugural ball, there were 15 people plotting to destroy his presidency. he wasn't aware that those type of things happened. he's learned about washington. he's experienced. and i think he had a very good first term. but i think he has the potential
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of having a great second term. >> and you're seeing the president live as he's leaving the viewings box at the white house. this is his last inaugural parade that he has just watched and he's shaking hands and going -- leaving the stand and the vice president biden, there, as well. and we suspect that they're going to get prepared for the inaugural balls tonight. and they will be their last inaugural balls, as president and vice president of the united states. >> hey, thank you, sir. >> a lot of service members, as you can see, a lot of them people in uniform that defend and stand for the country. they are all in the box that the president is now leaving and have spent the day with him as he viewed and he walked, he's been -- it's been a long day. you know, he started in church this morning, some of us with church at 8:00 this morning. and then the inaugural ceremony,
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the inaugural address, the parade, and, as i said, the first lady and he walked are part of the parade route and he's still got several hours to go. but i'm sure he savors this day. the last day he will have as in terms of inauguration. we're watching them walking to the white house. these are live shots, the president and vice president. they've now left the viewing stand and are walking into the white house formally at the end of the inaugural parade. it looks like congress woman wilson has a litsle coffee in his hand. get a little caffeine, i don't know. he's talking and looks energetic and he doesn't seem tired yet. let me say this, he stress the importance of america's acting together. why was this such a focal point
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of him today, congresswoman? >> because the people have spoken. and they're on his side, reverend. it is so clear that out of the election, especially in florida and we're never going to have people standing in line. i was so happy with what he said today. and because he knows that the people are on his side and it's so clear to all of us, we will not have -- we will not have those kinds of issues again. and i am so proud of him. i just -- i never thought that i would live to see this day. and to have this on martin luther king's birthday when the children are out of school so they can watch this, this is wonder chl. >> you just saw the president going into the white house. and we probably, more than likely, woen see him again until the inaugural balls in public. governor rendell, when the lady said to me going into the church this morning with the president,
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she never thought she would not only see an african american president, she never thought she'd see a martin luther king federal holiday. she was an older lady. do you think americans understand how in a period of time how much this country has changed? and can use that to continue to change that we need because we still have such a long way to go? >> sure, but the country has matured significantly. i think in 2008, we elected the first african american president. in 2012, we reelected a president. period. i think there were very few voters who went to the polls in 2012 and said should we elect an african american president. they judged him on his record, they judged him on what he wanted to do for the kcountry. that's a big thing. >> well, congresswoman wilson and governor ed rendell, thanks for your time tonight. and congresswoman, i was trying to get this picture of the -- of
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one of the judges. he had on a judicial hat. but you won the hat contest. look at him? how could he think that could win the hat you wear. he lost hands down. that was a bipartisan vote. fredrica wilson won the hat contest. we're coming right back with more on the inaugural parade. you're watching a special edition of "politics nation" on the place for politics, msnbc. >> we can not mistake absolutism for principle, retreat name calling as reason debate. we must act, we must act knowing that our work will be unperfect.
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we must act knowing that today's victories will be only partial and it will be up to those who stand here in 4 years and 40 years and 400 years since to advance the timeless spirt once conveyed to us in a spare philadelphia home. [ male announcer ] where do you turn for legal matters? at legalzoom, we've created a better place to handle your legal needs. maybe you have questions about incorporating a business you'd like to start. or questions about protecting your family with a will or living trust. and you'd like to find the right attorney to help guide you along, answer any questions and offer advice. with an "a" rating from the better business bureau legalzoom helps you get personalized and affordable legal protection. in most states, a legal plan attorney is available with every personalized document to answer any questions. get started at legalzoom.com today. and now you're protected. and his new boss told him two things -- cook what you love, and save your money. joe doesn't know it yet, but he'll work his way up
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you're looking at a live shot of the white house where the president and first lady are getting ready for the two inaugural balls this evening. it's been an incredible day. and there has been one person along with him every step of the way. the first lady. we'll talk about her next four years next. new prilosec otc wildberry is the same frequent heartburn treatment as prilosec otc. now with a fancy coating that gives you a burst of wildberry flavor. now why make a flavored heartburn pill? because this is america. and we don't just make things you want, we make things you didn't even know you wanted. like a spoon fork. spray cheese. and jeans made out of sweatpants. so grab yourself some new prilosec otc wildberry. [ male announcer ] one pill each morning. 24 hours. zero heartburn. satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.
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let us each now embrace with solemn duty an awesome joy what is our lasting birthright? with common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future of that precious light of freedom. >> by the president's side all day was his wife, michelle, the first lady. who is becoming a political force in washington.
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president obama calls first lady michelle obama his reality check, his moral voice and his best friend. over the past four years, she's been a trusted advisor and she's found her own voice dedicated herself to a let's move campaign to fight childhood obesity and hond n honoring the men and women who served this country in her joining forces initiative. her most visible role came on the campaign trail. >> even if you don't start out with much, you know, if you work hard and do what you're supposed to do, then you should be able to build a desent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids and your grand kipds. we believe in an america where we all understand that none of us gets where we are on our own. none of us. that there is -- there's always a community of people lifting us up when we treat everyone,
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everyone with dignity and respect from the teachers who inspire us to the janitors who keep our schools clean. >> so with his wife's support, president obama gets a second term and so does the first lady. what can she do in the next four? this will be fun to watch. joining me now is nia malika henderson, political reporter for "the washington post" and lisa mundy, author of "michelle obama: a biography of the first lady." >> nia, you've covered the first lady for two years now? how have you seen her evolve? >> i think she has gone from being a little unsteady in the role to being absolutely uncomfortable in the role. a power house first lady, in many ways. she is very highly identified with all of her initiatives
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around childhood obesity, and "let's move" and that's what you want to be as a first lady. you want to try to leave a legacy eight years after you leave, 80 years after you leave. i think that's what she'll try to do more of coming up in this next term. i swrinterviewed her asking her what she wanted to do going into that next year and she said more. i think that's what we're going to see more of this year, more of the first lady. >> liza, you've written a book on the first lady. do you expect her role to be more aggressive? evolve even more of the president? everyone is saying has grown? what have we seen that indicates the role of the first lady will play in the next four years, in your opinion? >> yes, well, i think, you know, she has the freedom now in the second term to be a little bit more unplugged, if she wants to be. she also has, you know, very high favorability ratings. her favorability has been higher than that of the president's.
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and she has an enormous amount of the goodwill and capital built up. so i guess it will be interesting to see whether or not she fits with these two issues that nia identified or whether she, you know, for something that's well to cement her legacy. >> now, nia, she was instrumental in the grassroots out reach during the campaign. do you expect to see more of that from her? will she get involved just on pushing issues? or will you start seeing her used to help kand dcandidates a the country? >> i think we'll have to look to 2014. in 2010, democrats will have her chomping at the bit all because part of the president's legacy is going to be what the returns are from these med terms and even in 2016, if a democratic president is re-elected. i think everything is going to be connected to how the president does. her agenda has always dove tailed very nicely with what the
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president does. all around health, for instance, that was his big domestic push. this time, it looks like he's going to try to do gun control, try to do immigration. so i think her success is really going to be based on how successful the president is typically first ladies step out of the box. you saw laura bush travel to 67 countries in her second term. she had a press conference. so she was much more out there. and ill think we'll see the seam thing from the first lady politically. >> liza, the first lady said she was uncomfortable when she moved into the white house. has she overcome that discomfort in your opinion? >> yeah, i mean, she seemed to have achieved a balance in terms of raising her girls, and having family time and we do know, too, that she's had to sort of make some concessions. there was a good piece by jody cancer showing that some of her initiatives like mentoring young
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girls, she's kind of had to dull that back a little bit. so she's probably more realistic now about what she can achieve. >> do you think, nia, other than, you know, the fact she's the first african american first lady that she's also distinguished herself in other ways from predecessors as first ladies? >> i think she has owned the roam of first lady. so many questions going in to her ten your, who would she be more like? i think she has shaped this in the way that fits her personality. there was a lot of, you know, kind of back and forth about whether or not she was traditional, too much of a mom and chief. but she has owned it. and that's the message that she always has for young girls and other women. and that is be true to who you are. >> absolutely. >> nia and liza, thank you both for your time tonight. ahead, our first black president sworn in on martin luther king day. why this historic day will be remembered forever. next.
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you're watching a special edition of politics nation. president barack obama's second inauguration. stay with us. >> i know that former president carter, president clinton, they understand the irony of the presidential office which is the longer you're there, the more humble you become.
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finally, tonight, the cross roads of history. today's inauguration comes 150 years after the emancipation proclamation. 50 years after the march on washington. and on the very day dedicated to the reverend dr. martin luther king, jr. we could feel that history today
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when the president took the oath of office with his hand on the bibles that belong to president lincoln and dr. king. after the inaugural luncheon in the capitol building, president obama took a moment to reflect at a statue of dr. king. soon, a statue of rosa parks would join that tribute of dr. king inside the capital. we've seen the president reflect on the civil rights movement. the president explicitly evokes their sacrifices in his inaugural address. >> we, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths, that allover us are crea of us equal, is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our fore bearers through seneca falls and selma and stonewall, just as it guided all of those men and women, sung and unsung who left footprints along this
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great mall to hear a preacher say that we could not walk alone, to hear a king proclaim that our individual freedom is inextrekblely bound to the freedom offer soul on earth. >> the freedom of every soul. the heart of the civil rights movement. earlier today, civil rights leader and georgia congressman joan lewis talked about this historic day. >> as johnson would say, it's like history and fate coming together for this president, this african american to be inaugurated for a second time on martin luther king, jr. day, it says something about the distance we've come, the progress we've made. >> the distance we've come. the progress we've made. these are word. these are words that dr. king would be proud to hear. but the struggle continues. that is why the president has, as guest today, those that are still in

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